April 4th was National Vitamin C Day! With the power to heal your body from the inside and out, it’s no surprise that vitamin C antioxidants are considered a “holy grail” ingredient in any comprehensive skincare regimen. It packs a punch against free radicals, UV damage, and pollution, all of which have been shown to accelerate skin aging. It also helps brighten the skin and encourages the natural production of collagen, a critical protein for firm, youthful skin. This water-soluble super solution can be found in many of the foods we eat, but the external application is much more effective for addressing skin concerns.
Vitamin C: Your Ally Against Oxidative Stress
While there are many forms of vitamin C, the pure form known as L-ascorbic acid is the most extensively researched in skincare applications.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause oxidation, the same process that turns apples and potatoes brown after they’ve been cut and exposed to the air. When the oxygen (O2) in our bodies or the environment split into individual atoms, they are left with unpaired electrons. Electrons are unstable when they are solo, so they wreak havoc on the body, damaging cells in their search for a partner. This process has been linked to many diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Our bodies can neutralize many free radicals that we encounter, but sometimes the system can become overwhelmed and unbalanced. Antioxidants like vitamin C readily share an electron with free radical molecules, causing them to stabilize and protect us from further damage.
Studies show that L-ascorbic acid is particularly effective against the reactive oxygen species (ROS) of free-radicals, which we are exposed to from the oxygen we breathe, pollutants like cigarette smoke or smog, UV light, and stress. ROS can alter cells and DNA, breakdown the moisture barrier, change skin texture, and cause hyperpigmentation.
By applying vitamin C daily, you can brighten and even out your skin tone, reduce the signs of aging, and protect from further oxidative damage.
Find Your Formula at AST
If you’re unsure where to start with vitamin C antioxidants, the experts at Advanced Skin Therapeutics can help you find the right formula for your specific needs. For acne-prone, oily skin, we recommend SkinCeuticals Silymarin CF. This powerful product is a breakthrough serum formulated with 15% L-ascorbic acid, 0.5% ferulic acid, and 0.5% salicylic acid, all of which work together to prevent oil oxidation by up to 76%. It also reduces oiliness, refines skin texture, and visibly improves skin clarity and fine lines.
To sweeten the deal, we’re also gifting one 15 mL CE Ferulic– a synergistic antioxidant combination of 15% pure vitamin C, 1% vitamin E, and 0.5% ferulic acid to enhance protection against environmental damage caused by free radicals– with the purchase of a SkinCeuticals antioxidant and one additional SkinCeuticals product. That’s an $88 value!
